Can we talk about Orb?

[King Glorious]

Perspective matters. I’d like to think of a Derby winner in a romantic sense and want believe he’s a much better horse than just one that was best or lucky that day. In the overall scheme of things, he obviously was a good horse compared to all horses. But when compared to horses we want to believe were our best ones, he seems below average.

[philcski]

Mediocre? Definitely not. He's probably in the middle of the pack with regard to Kentucky Derby winners... but that's a damn good list to be in the middle of.

He's also the only winner from truly off the pace since the Derby points system started, for what that's worth.

[declansharbor]

Originally Posted by philcski

Mediocre? Definitely not. He's probably in the middle of the pack with regard to Kentucky Derby winners... but that's a damn good list to be in the middle of.

He's also the only winner from truly off the pace since the Derby points system started, for what that's worth.

I was on the Orb train relatively early that year, but he looked phenomenal over the Churchill strip in the week(s) leading up to the Kentucky Derby. The way he moved over that surface wasn’t seen again until American Pharoah prepared for his run. The way they glided over the surface cemented them as top choice (I know, I know, very shaky limb I’m going out on there ha). Either of those works don’t hold a candle to AP’s pre-Breeder’s Cup Classic workout though. I don’t think I’ve EVER been as confident on a horse after seeing them work, especially coming off a loss after being softened up for Keen Ice to run right on by in the Travers, and was a sure thing to be huge chalk in BCC.